This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy.
You’ve decided on, or are considering, the family vacation of a lifetime – a Disney Cruise! Researching the cost of a Disney Cruise may cause some unexpected sticker shock, however. To put it simply, Disney Cruise fare is not cheap.
This article will take a look at exactly what is included in your Disney Cruise fare to help you understand where all of those hard-earned dollars will go.
Being a premium cruise line, Disney Cruise Line prices are higher than most mainstream cruises. This is because the price is more all-inclusive of many on-board foods, amenities, and activities than what other cruise lines offer. It is important to understand what is included in your Disney Cruise fare in order to understand the charges and to comfortably budget for the final price.
Stick around until the end of this article where you will find our FREE Disney Cruise budget printable! We’ll help you plan for each and every expense of a Disney Cruise.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make purchases from these links, we make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What’s Included In Your Disney Cruise Fare: Pre-Trip & Arrival
As you’re considering a Disney Cruise, you have free access to the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) website for practical and in-depth information regarding DCL.
You also have access to a Help Center website and phone number for questions regarding your potential or secured reservation. All of Disney Cruise Line’s Help Centers are staffed by expert “Disney Cast Members” who are extremely helpful and pleasant.
Disney Cruise Line reservations and deposits can be made either online, through a travel agent, or on the phone.
Once you book your cruise you are given an online Disney account in order to help manage your reservation. From here, you can learn about onboard activities for your cruise, get a free handy packing list and even check-in online.
In the weeks before your sailing your will receive a Guest Travel Booklet or Luggage Tag Folder with 2 free Disney Cruise Line luggage tags for each person in your travel party.
Last, you can also arrange for a complimentary phone-call from a pre-recorded Disney character! This is a fun way to surprise the kids or to get the entire family excited about the upcoming sailing.
What’s not included in your Disney Cruise fare:
- Passports
- Pre and post cruise hotel stays
- Transportation and parking
- Airport transfers
Additional planning tip: Let us help you! Check out our Travel Resources Page to find cheap flights and to book hotels and rental cars!
What’s Included In Your Disney Cruise Fare: Stateroom and Services
The cost of your Disney Cruise stateroom, taxes, and port fees are included in your Disney Cruise fare. Tips for your stateroom host (housekeeping) and dining room staff are also included.
Being mindful of the different categories of Disney Cruise staterooms is one of our top Disney Cruise Line tips. The four ships in DCL’s fleet offer the following room categories that each vary drastically in price.
- Concierge: Large and extravagant suites that come with verandahs and special concierge access.
- Oceanview with Verandah: Ocean view suites that have balconies (skipping the verandah is one of the ways to save on a Disney Cruise, however).
- Oceanview: Staterooms that have a large porthole window, but no verandahs.
- Inside: These are the smallest and most affordable rooms that don’t have any windows.
Your Disney Cruise fare includes twice daily visits from your assigned stateroom host.
In the morning the host will clean the room and make up the beds. In the evening while you are at dinner, the host will again straighten the room, turn down the beds, and assemble a fun towel animal to leave behind.
Another awesome stateroom amenity included in your Disney Cruise fare is unlimited access to in-room Disney movies, a gazillion TV channels, and exclusive cruise channels. This is a fun perk when winding down at night before bed, or when taking an afternoon break in your stateroom.
Lastly, Disney Cruise guests have unlimited access to a state-of-the-art fitness center located on each of the Disney Cruise ships.
What’s not available in your Disney Cruise fare but is available for an extra cost:
- Wireless Internet access (other than for use of the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App)
- Full-service laundry and dry cleaning
- Onboard Gifts such as in-room decorations, cheese and fruit platters, flowers, and champagne
- Babysitting services in the nursery
- Photography services
What’s Included In Your Disney Cruise: Dining and Snacks
The most all-inclusive quality of a Disney Cruise are the dining and snack options that are included in the Disney Cruise fare.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in your Disney Cruise fare whether you choose buffet or table service options. Meals are all-you-can-eat and the several courses offered at table service restaurants provide plenty of variety.
All coffee, tea, soft drinks, milk, and juice ordered at meals and found at on board beverage stations are also included in the Disney Cruise fare. So is the soft serve ice cream found at the self-serve stations located on the pool deck.
Perhaps the most unique all-inclusive offering included in the Disney Cruise fare is free, 24-hour room service. With a separate menu of casual dining options and special treats, Disney Cruise room service is a fun perk!
In fact, ordering daily Mickey Mouse ice cream bars from the room service menu is listed among our other Disney Cruise advice!
What’s not included in your Disney Cruise fare but is available at an extra cost:
- Adult-only dining (Palo, found on all ships costs $30/person, and dinner at Remy on the Dream and Fantasy costs $85/person.
- Character Breakfast & Royal Court Royal Tea
- Alcohol
- Specialty coffees
- Smoothies from smoothie stands
- Bottled water
- Popcorn and pre-packaged candy found at Preludes, the Walt Disney Theater concession stand
- Tips for room service staff
What’s Included In Your Disney Cruise: Entertainment and Activities
One of the reasons that we prefer a Disney Cruise vs. Disney World vacation is because of the amazing on-board entertainment and activities!
Reading about all of these amazing offerings cannot compare to actually experiencing them in person, however.
From live music being played in the ship’s atrium, to the impromptu visit from a Storm Trooper during Star Wars Day at Sea, there is always something fun and unexpected happening.
Here is a glimpse into what you can expect to be included in your Disney Cruise fare during this vacation of a lifetime!
Broadway-caliber evening stage shows
Each evening, Disney Cruise Line hosts a top-notch live stage production that is included in the cruise fare. Complete with professional actors, costumes, sets, and staging, most of the productions include songs and numbers from original Disney films.
You will be given both an assigned dinner and showtime before the date of your sailing. Arrive at your assigned showtime and secure a spot in the open seating Walt Disney Theater.
A list of the past, and current Disney Cruise Line live shows can be found here.
Buena Vista Movie Theater
Each of the four Disney Cruise ships are home to their own Buena Vista Movie Theater than can seat up to 250 guests. Family Disney classics play during the day, with more current releases in the evening. On occasion, guests are sometimes treated to Disney movie premieres that have yet to be released!
These all-you-can-watch movies make for a great afternoon activity if needing to take a break from the sun.
Daily movie showtimes can be found on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App.
Youth Clubs
Led by specially trained counselors, children ages 3-12 can hang out with other kids their age in two different Disney Cruise youth clubs. Both the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab provide large play spaces where kids can enjoy games, arts and crafts, and themed parties.
Edge, the youth club for kids ages 11 to 14 is a special hangout with flat-screen TVs, computers, and video games. It features daily guided activities and interactive play spaces.
Last, an entertainment haven for teens ages 14 to 17 is a youth club named Vibe. As with all of the other youth clubs, the activities here such as teen-only dance parties and karaoke, are all included in your Disney Cruise fare.
Goofy’s Sports Deck (on the Dream and Fantasy)
Your Disney Cruise fare includes the sporting activities and equipment that can be found on Goofy’s Sports Deck. From ping pong, to miniature golf, to basketball courts, and foosball, Goofy’s Sports Deck is located on Deck 13 and has the best views on the ship!
Deck Parties and Fireworks at Sea
Each ship in the Disney Cruise Line has at least one deck party during its voyage. Likewise, as the first cruise line to ever feature fireworks at sea, you can also look forward to an awesome fireworks display included in your cruise fare.
Additional planning tip: Be sure to come prepared with a costume for the Disney Cruise Line Pirate deck party! The majority of cruisers dress-up so be sure to leave room in your suitcase for these costume party goodies! Get these, and other great suggestions in our list of 50 Disney Fantasy Cruise tips!
Disney Character meet and greets
There are dozens of character meet and greet opportunities on a Disney Cruise. Many character meet and greets are widely advertised and open to everyone, while others require pre-planning and tickets to attend.
Either way, you can rest assured that your Disney Cruise fare includes several opportunities to greet and take photos with Disney most beloved characters!
What’s not included in your Disney Cruise fare but is available at an extra cost:
- Select character meet and greets
- Port adventures and excursions, ranging from $38 – $600 per person
- Souvenirs
- Salon and spa services
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League make-overs
- Beverage tasting seminars
- Golf and sports simulators (reservations required)
Click here to get our Disney Cruise Budget Planner printable worksheet! Don’t miss out on planning for any and all expenses for your upcoming Disney Cruise!
What Disney Cruise fare tips did you find helpful? Let me know in a comment below!
Jen
If you liked our article on What’s Included in Your Disney Cruise Fare, check out our Related Posts:
- 18 Essential Disney Cruise Line Tips
- 50 Disney Fantasy Cruise Tips: Know Before you Go
- Disney Cruise Advice: What We Learned and What We’ll Do Differently Next Time
Related Posts – Disney World
- Disney Park Bag Checklist: What to Pack in Your Disney Day Bag
- 1-Day at Magic Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Touring Plan
- One-Day at Animal Kingdom Itinerary: The Perfect Touring Plan
- 1-Day at Epcot: The Perfect Touring Plan
- Disney FastPasses+ Secrets and Tips
- Disney World on a Budget: 15 Ways We Saved Big
*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*
What a great post. Love all the tips, wish I would’ve read this before taking my first Disney cruise 2 years ago. But can’t wait for my next cruise to use these tips.
I didn’t know so many of these things before our first Disney cruise either 🙂
I really appreciate how you break it all down. I’m actually surprised they don’t include wifi. Good to know also about parking and airport transfers. I would’ve assumed they’d be included.
Thanks! Yes, it is so helpful to read breakdowns like these when planning an expensive vacation 🙂
This is SO helpful! I’ve always wandered what’s included in the cost of a Disney cruise.
I’m so glad you find this info helpful! I had always wondered too!